Doggies-What to Do?

[Maryland Girl]

In considering a move to TV, my husband and I are stumped about our dogs. We have two mixed-breeds, each weighing approximately 45 lbs and 36 lbs. Presently, we have a small yard, which, being dogs, they enjoying spending time in doing what doggies do. Anyway, it seems with the no fence restrictions (which we support by the way), we would be house-dwellers with our dogs 24/7 except when we walk them or take them to the dog run. Love them as we do, this doesn't appeal to us. The villas are another choice but we find them small and we really need a two-car garage.

Would anyone care to share what they think and/or what they have done in this situation. We know there are many dog lovers/lowners in TV.

[Coconuts]

Some years ago, I said "When the dog dies, we put the house up for sale."
She did, we did, and here we are.

[Taltarzac]

Some of the dog owners here in TV like their "hidden" or invisible fences. http://www.petcontainment.com/

[scrapple]

Our priority was to move in with our dog. A CYV seemed the only way to go and I'm glad we did. We have a huge yard and there's a dog door already installed altho I keep him inside when we're gone and at night. We use the dog runs (had been in a rental up north and a new one will open close by) and really enjoy the walks. I'm not sure why you'd be tied to the house unless your guys need to be watched closely? Yard sizes vary so keep an eye out for a villa with lots of yard space or ranch that backs up to some privacy and use an electric fence. There's lots of great choices here and lots of great places for dogs to be walked. It's definately a dog's world here!

[bike42]

Find a house with an oversize back yard, then build a birdcage to the setback lines. Lay out large landscape beds along the sides and the back, and when they pour the concrete floor, leave those areas open. Then plant some trees and shrubs, surrounded by lots of mulch. Your dogs will love their back yard.

[SALYBOW]

Just an FYI, there are many existing and coming soon dog parks in which they could play. If my dog was a wanderer, I would use an invisible fence. Here is my doggie Gracie :doggie:

[Chopper]

We had the same concerns before we moved. Two dogs, 60 and 70 pounds. We had a fenced area for them even though they didn't stay outside that much. When we moved to TV we quickly realized that our concerns were unfounded. Both dogs have adapted very well to being on a leash, and neither of them has ever had an accident indoors. They seem to love it here as much as we do.

Bring them down, they'll love it here.

[Maryland Girl]

Find a house with an oversize back yard, then build a birdcage to the setback lines. Lay out large landscape beds along the sides and the back, and when they pour the concrete floor, leave those areas open. Then plant some trees and shrubs, surrounded by lots of mulch. Your dogs will love their back yard.

This sounds absolutely ingenious! Thanks for sharing-wondering if your advice is given based on experience?

[Maryland Girl]

Coconuts "Some years ago, I said "When the dog dies, we put the house up for sale. She did, we did, and here we are."

Coconuts,
We know exactly where you are coming from. Seven years ago we said we would not have any more animals but...our daughter found our two dogs as strays, Buster in Oklahoma and Becca in Texas, and, with our permission, shipped them to us in Maryland. Now we care deeply for them and they could outlive us-not likely, but you never know. Anyway, if/when we move to TV, it will be in the next year or two, so, barring an unforseen event, both of our doggies will have to make the move with us. Thanks for sharing.

[bike42]

This sounds absolutely ingenious! Thanks for sharing-wondering if your advice is given based on experience?

Yes, we have two dogs; we built a 1200-square foot birdcage. We all love it -- it doubles the living area of your house for most of the year.

[Mikitv]

There are some villas with two car garage. You just have to watch for them when they go up for sale.

[getdul981]

We have two dogs, but they are both fairly small - 12 lbs. They had not been out of VA since we got them 12 years ago until we brought them to TV. They travelled very good and have been outstanding since we have been in our rental. The yard of our new home is not big at all, but they NEVER go out without being on a leash, so that should not be a problem.

[Maryland Girl]

This set up allows each homeowner to have a larger useful side yard. Otherwise you would have a narrow strip on both sides. It is a better use of land for the developer. We have this setup in my current neighborhood. The only problems I have observed is when a careless neighbor lets their sprinklers spray on your house wall and it causes some damage. There is also the issue of landscaping interferring with your ability to maintain that wall.

batman911,
We can see where you are coming from but in reading over the deed restrictions, it says the owner of the land has the right of ingress and egress to perform maintenance. Our rep said they would have to ask permission but the restrictions does not indicate they would. We would certainly expect them to do so but... We were concerned because we would have 2 dogs that would have use of the yard and well..you can see where this could go.

[Maryland Girl]

Yes, we have two dogs; we built a 1200-square foot birdcage. We all love it -- it doubles the living area of your house for most of the year.

bike42,
Holy cow, that is as big as some homes!!! Those are some lucky dogs you have! Just kidding. This really is a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

[KatzPajamas]

Find a house with an oversize back yard, then build a birdcage to the setback lines. Lay out large landscape beds along the sides and the back, and when they pour the concrete floor, leave those areas open. Then plant some trees and shrubs, surrounded by lots of mulch. Your dogs will love their back yard.
Sounds awesome...can you post a picture?

[Uptown Girl]

Hi Maryland,
When you are getting closer to the time of your anticipated move, engage a Villages sales rep. and/ or realtor. (covers both new and pre-loved homes)

You can give them your criteria (large CYV yard, 2 car garage, whatever) and ask them to email pics when good candidates pop up. They do that all the time and will gladly explain the procedure and answer questions you may have.

You must be prepared to act swiftly if one you like presents itself, at least securing it with a payment to hold it. Your rep will give you all the info you need and explain the terms of what you need to do next. It's not scary, and there is some wiggle room if you change your mind.

We ended up buying our CYV that way and it was much more practical than searching everywhere on our own. Our rep was very good at picking and holding things for us to see and we now own a home that is the perfect fit for us!

Our rep did tell us that properties with unique features don't always appear in abundance, and there are a few hundred reps working The Villages, so when something juicy comes up, there is a scramble to hold it for someone.

In the meantime, enjoy perusing lots of properties online. If nothing else, it will help you decide what you want to investigate later on. Good luck! Hope you will be a Villager one day!

[Julie]

Find a house with an oversize back yard, then build a birdcage to the setback lines. Lay out large landscape beds along the sides and the back, and when they pour the concrete floor, leave those areas open. Then plant some trees and shrubs, surrounded by lots of mulch. Your dogs will love their back yard.

We did something similar. While our yard is not oversized, we do have a golf cart garage. We had our birdcage added after the initial building process so we could customize it to extend as far as legally allowed to the property lines. We brought the birdcage all the way down to the back of the golf cart garage leaving a grassy area on that side of the home so he could do his business and it wouldn't be a focal point. Our dog loves his little area and so do we.

PM me if you want to come over and look at it.

[DonH57]

We recommend the invisible fence. We use one now and have been for years. The cost was worth it. When it's installed the only one that knows it's there except the dogs and you. The only thing we've had to explain to passers by is why our 80 lb lab won't leave the yard to go to them or their dogs. We have been very happy with this system. Please check into it.

[Tbugs]

I believe it has already been said that you do still have to watch your dog while it is in the yard - and not to leave them out all by themselves. There have been coyote sightings in The Villages and Fluffy might make a tasty treat for Wiley E. Coyote. The fences do not stop coyotes - they do not wear collars.

[oceangirl]

We have inherited our doxi from my grandson. I kept saying I didn't want a dog. Well you can see he is will be coming with us to our new home in Buttonwood. He is so spoiled and maybe getting around other doggies he will learn not to bark so much. But we love him and can't leave him behind. So see you all at the dog park. Plus he is going to be walking the streets in Buttonwood. Maybe this will tire him out.

[K9-Lovers]

He sounds joyful and full of life! He just has a lot to say. What is his name?

[Maryland Girl]

Hi Maryland,
When you are getting closer to the time of your anticipated move, engage a Villages sales rep. and/ or realtor. (covers both new and pre-loved homes)

You can give them your criteria (large CYV yard, 2 car garage, whatever) and ask them to email pics when good candidates pop up. They do that all the time and will gladly explain the procedure and answer questions you may have.

You must be prepared to act swiftly if one you like presents itself, at least securing it with a payment to hold it. Your rep will give you all the info you need and explain the terms of what you need to do next. It's not scary, and there is some wiggle room if you change your mind.

We ended up buying our CYV that way and it was much more practical than searching everywhere on our own. Our rep was very good at picking and holding things for us to see and we now own a home that is the perfect fit for us!

Our rep did tell us that properties with unique features don't always appear in abundance, and there are a few hundred reps working The Villages, so when something juicy comes up, there is a scramble to hold it for someone.

In the meantime, enjoy perusing lots of properties online. If nothing else, it will help you decide what you want to investigate later on. Good luck! Hope you will be a Villager one day!

Uptown Girl,
Thanks for all of the information. We have, however, purchased an expanded CYV in the Edgewater Bungalows with a HUGE yard. You are right. When something 'juicy' comes up it is fallen on like hungry lions. Literally, we just happened to be in the right place at the right time and the person who had bought the house backed out of the deal. Our Buster and Becca will be most happy, so problem solved. We are waiting for our home here to sell and then it will be TV here we come! Thanks again. :p